SPRING NOTES: Perfect Cain, spring edition; More on Day 1 with Bonds

Matt Cain has been looking for the results he had in the second half last year, not a disappointing first half. On Monday, Cain turned the clock back even further.

Cain, the only pitcher in franchise history to throw a perfect game, didn’t allow a baserunner through five innings of a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He struck out seven of 15 batters to walk to the plate before hitting a predetermined pitch count.

“He was really sharp, hitting all his spots,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He executed all his pitches from the first inning on. It was nice to see him have those easy innings and command the ball well. Just a great effort by him.”

In eight spring innings, Cain has allowed just one baserunner. Madison Bumgarner, Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum are also working on spring shutouts.

Advertisement

“It’s been something we all just kind of felt, even when we came into FanFest,” Cain said. “The guys are just motivated and they don’t want (2013) to happen again.”

Like Bumgarner a day before, Cain even picked up a single at the plate. As he ran down the line, he playfully stared into the home dugout, searching for Bumgarner.

“He was bragging about his hit,” Cain said. “I just got lucky. (Jeff Samardzija) threw one into my swing.”

— Cain said he hoped younger teammates would be aggressive with seeking advice from Barry Bonds, who is in camp this week as a special instructor. As a young Giant, Cain sat in front of Bonds on team flights and said he learned quite a bit.

“I think it’ll be great,” he said. “It’s going to be great to talk to him. I thought he was really good about talking to guys and that benefited me a lot. I learned something early with him. Once he sets his mind to doing something, he’s probably going to get it accomplished and get it accomplished well.

“Definitely, go chat with him. See if you can pick his brain about whatever. He’s a huge figure in baseball and it is a little intimidating at first, but he’s very open to talking to guys.”

The busy morning brought back some memories for Cain, the only current Giant to play a full season with Bonds.

“It became a zoo like normal,” Cain said. “If you want to get TV time, just stay near him.”

— Former Giant Jonathan Sanchez picked up the save for the Cubs and Nate Schierholtz and Eli Whiteside both started. They went a combined 0 for 6. Sanchez gave up a couple of rockets, and players watching on the clubhouse TV (a still shot from center field) thought the Giants had tied the game. Both were loud outs. Apparently the Cubs are good with advance spring scouting or something.

“I pull for these guys. They did a lot for the organization,” Bochy said, smiling. “I didn’t have the time, but I was trying to get a helmet and bat (against Sanchez) myself.”

— David Huff made his spring debut, giving up a run on two hits. “I thought he threw the ball fine for the first time out,” Bochy said. “We’ll try to get him stretched out here.”

Huff still has a shot at making this team as a long reliever.

Advertisement

— Mid-Blog Father of the Year Break!

— Hunter Pence and Michael Morse returned to the field, so you can forget about those minor injuries they had. Both scored on Pablo Sandoval’s single. Adam Duvall has some hamstring tightness so he’s been out for nearly a week, but he said it’s not serious. It’s too bad; he was swinging the bat really well.

— Now, some more Bonds stuff. Bochy introduced him during a morning meeting and said Bonds watched the game from the dugout.

“He seemed to really be enjoying hanging with the guys,” Bochy said. “He seemed to really just be excited to be back on a baseball field, doing what he loves.”

Bonds spent his first day on the main field, although it seems he can be of more help to the young ones. Bochy said he’s not sure if Bonds will spend a day at minor league camp.

“That would be up to Barry,” he said. “Certainly, we would welcome that if it works out and we have the time.

— You all probably know about Brandon Crawford, Cain and Madison Bumgarner, but don’t sleep on the Buster Posey Deadpan. He walked past the crush of media in the clubhouse hallway this morning and frowned.

Below that and the sample sizes get too small. I don’t know if his 1 for 16 off Joe Biemel or his 1 for 17 off of Ray King is noteworthy. I guess it is if you’re Joe Biemel or Ray King. (Yes, both were a Home Runs.)

Just for reference. Bonds has faced five of the current Giants. And Huddy won’t like the memories….. .407/.500/1.000 with 5 HRs in 34 Plate appearances.
Yusmerio Petit 1 for 4 with a HR and a punch out
Vogey avoided the book only giving up a double and a walk in his three PAs.
Javi Lopez 3 for 8 with 2 walks and three punch outs. One of the walks intentional.

The pitcher with bragging rights?
Jermey Affeldt – Bonds is 0 for 3 with a K. Of course he also walked 4 times, twice intentionally.

Mendenhall’s statement was forthright, and refreshing. I’m sure such decisions aren’t ever easy, but he seems at peace, and I applaud him.

ClutchUp

Which NBA player collapsed? Mavericks?

Matthew

NHL..Rich Peverley, Dallas Stars…used to play for Boston and won a Stanley Cup there…good dude. Not sure what happened and they cancelled the game

ClutchUp

Thanks Matthew!

ClutchUp

Carlos Rogers=Gone.

Michael Scott

Been in bed today- Flu, cold? Looks like it was a good game. I was sorta psyched to see that Dirrrrrty got a save, but I see he was bombed. I loved that guy, head case or not. Because of the circumstances, I think his No- No was the best of all. I cried when he and his Dad hugged, This could be the end for him now- it won’t happen but I’d like to see him get one more shot here in Fresno.

ClutchUp

Russell Wilson?

stickman

Maybe some of Vogelsong’s determination has rubbed off on Cain. Perfect through 5 is very nice for this early in the Spring. Now if some of Matt’s skills can rub off on Vogie we should be looking at a very nice Rotation.

Michael Scott

Classic was the time Garner had Russ Springer throw at him *FOUR* times in one AB. I think e finally hit him on the 4th try.

Samhatesbelt

Easy to make these decisions when you’re already busted up. No way he would have walked if he were to be a starter making 8 mil next season.

Foothills Ryan

Prodigious entry, A-L. You served up some serious wake.

Foothills Ryan

I don’t know if I cried, but there was definitely a lump in my throat. Great father son moment. I think his father had just flown in from Puerto Rico and it was the first time seeing him in the bigs. Maybe that’s too dramatic, but the moment was for real.

Matthew

Great memory…one of the all time great ones for this team at AT & T and I will always have a soft spot for Jonathan

Matthew

You need a new handle:

Samhateslife

E-B

get well michael. we need an ornery voice here on the blog, who knows a ton about baseball, that is.

re: Sanchy J.
I didn’t know there was anyone on the planet who liked the guy, but I now see I got company. Dunno why, but I too really liked the guy. And his no-no w/ Whitey catching…I do think it was totally inspired by his Dad’s presence. Dads can have that effect. What I loved most about this guy is he pitched his heart out, each and every mm, each and every moment.

E-B

good thought; me too.
something ’bout Sanchy J.; he poured is heart out like few do.

This Friday the 14th the National Geographic Channel will broadcast a program live from the International Space Station. 5:00 PM PDT – 7:00 PM PDT. Astronauts share their experiences in space and demonstrate experiences. The show will be rebroadcast at 8:00 PM PDT.

Foothills Ryan

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on !

Foothills Ryan

Speaking of protein pills, I just noticed in the picture with Posey above, that Barry has a big ol’ fat pinch of dip under his lip. Nothing says baseball like eroding gum lines and a little mouth cancer.

PerSpeier35

I wonder what the over/under is for BB25 to finally fess up. It took Rose how long? Barry’s pretty stubborn; I’ll give him another decade.
I grew up on Belmont down the hill from where the Bonds family lived (top of the hill near the SC/Belmont border. Bobby & Mrs Bonds would drive their silver Caddy down our street all the time to get to the freeway. Barry was about two years younger, I never met him but my friend was buddies with an older brother, Ricky, I believe, and Barry was known simply as “BB.” Years later after Barry became a star my buddy told me that even when he was young he was moodier than most. I always wondered where the chip came from, he had a pretty good life as a youngster and a seemingly good family. His edge though probably helped make him such a great player, sure wish we could know how his career would have turned out sans the juice.

Foothills Ryan

Barry has siblings? I’ve never heard of their existence. From the media or Barry.

PerSpeier35

At least two brothers, I don’t think he had any sisters.

DrLefty

Rick Bonds and Bobby Bonds Jr. Bobby Jr. was drafted but never made it to the major leagues.

DrLefty

I just read an article about how widespread the use of “dip” still is, despite MLB’s efforts. Apparently it’s quite addictive. Some players said they never touch it during the offseason but can’t imagine taking an AB without it.

DrLefty

I was at the game, and they seemed like fly ball outs to me. I thought Sanchez looked fine–not filthy like he could be sometimes, but not ridiculously wild, either. Except during his warm-up tosses–he threw three pitches in a row to the backstop, and I thought, “Here we go, rally time” (It was the bottom of the ninth and the Giants were down by one.) But then he settled down and got the save.

Seemed like old home week with Nate S. and Eli Whiteside starting (both warmly cheered) and Sanchez closing.

DrLefty

I was at the game, and they seemed like fly ball outs to me. I thought Sanchez looked fine–not filthy like he could be sometimes, but not ridiculously wild, either. Except during his warm-up tosses–he threw three pitches in a row to the backstop, and I thought, “Here we go, rally time” (It was the bottom of the ninth and the Giants were down by one.) But then he settled down and got the save.

Seemed like old home week with Nate S. and Eli Whiteside starting (both warmly cheered) and Sanchez closing.

DrLefty

So a final report from Scottsdale (I’m home now; we flew home last night).

Yesterday’s game disappointed me. Cain was amazing. I know it was just spring training, but I haven’t seen him look that sharp since the perfect game in 2012 (including a stellar catch by Blanco to keep it going). Cain has a winning formula: (1) Make sure Blanco’s playing somewhere in the outfield and (2) Pitch everyone to hit to him. I don’t think either of the other two OFs got a ball, and Blanco got several (in CF).

I liked the inning where Morse, Pence, and Sandoval produced two runs, and I liked every AB I saw from Pablo this weekend. He was ON it, and his first hit was a ridiculous 7-iron golf shot into RF.

Then the starters came out and there was no more good pitching or good hitting. Affeldt was definitely victimized by very poor defense behind him–non-plays that could have been made by Crawford and then Abreu (both scored as hits) and then two throwing errors on the same play by Crawford and Abreu–on what should have been an inning-ending DP. Affeldt made his pitches and easily should have gotten out of the inning with a 2-1 lead. Instead he took the loss.

As I alluded on a previous thread, it was a truly awful day for Abreu–those two bad plays (right in a row) in the field, an 0-3 including a GIDP, and then–after helping put the Giants behind–getting thrown out at second (as the leadoff tying run).

If you were listening to the MLB.com broadcast and you heard someone booing Abreu and yelling “We want Adrianza,” that was me. We were sitting right below the press/broadcast box. 🙂

DrLefty

Here’s my summary thoughts for the weekend, in order of importance:

1) I’m worried about the bullpen. I didn’t see* much that impressed me other than Derek Law’s two Ks in the Futures game, and by then, he was facing minor leaguers (for the “Giants”) more scrub-like than the good ones on his Futures team.

2) The offense looked pretty lackluster. I’m hoping the bats come around better over the next couple weeks.

3) Bum and Cain both looked ready to compete for the Cy Young Award, but you knew that already.

*I didn’t technically “see” Machi’s great four-out save because I was at the other game, but I did watch it on MLB.TV like the rest of you did.

Good times in Scottsdale as always. If you’ve never been and you’re able, it’s definitely worth putting on your bucket list. Even more than the Finnerty’s bus, I’d say.

Hows that power hitting left field addition working out so far? Timing…

Michael Scott

We’re still at the stage where results mean little except for those in battles to make the club. For the veterans assured of a job, it’s all about fine tuning and staying healthy. In the former category: Petit, Abreu, and Kieschnick aren’t doing themselves any favors.

2holehitting

I see Bcraw picking up where he left off. I understand he expects better. Who wouldn’t.

Foothills Ryan

Ricky Bobby is more race car driver than ballplayer.

Michael Scott

By the time they head for SF, that could be reversed.

Foothills Ryan

Cowboys and ballplayers are probably the worst culprits when it comes to promoting tobacco use to youth.

Matthew

So, the guy is up all night a few nights as his wife has a baby, it’s spring training….

No worries yet.

Matthew

I saw Bobby Jr. Play Cal League…he was no Bobby… Or Barry!

Foothills Ryan

7 iron? That sounds kind of lofty. 2 iron? Or did he punch it from the rough with the 7?

Michael Scott

Not worried, he has a job assured.

2holehitting

Hicks, Adrianza and Perez making cases. The Gmen need a 2hole hitter to replace the ailing back….

Foothills Ryan

Time for that guy to get snipped and tied so he can focus on baseball.

I just saw what happened to the The Great Rob Stark when he got too distracted by domestic issues.

Michael Scott

Batting instructors shouldn’t be allowed within a 100 yards of Panda,

2holehitting

key word yet….

Foothills Ryan

Thanks for the reports !

Foothills Ryan

agreed. esp. #25.

Michael Scott

Well, he’s swinging better than his numbers would indicate. And he hasn’t pulled a “Dunn-er” yet.

Foothills Ryan

He was all too human. Fallible like the rest of us. I think at some level we resonate with his erratic pitching and occasional moments of brilliance.

Bapah

Why are there so few televised ST games for the Giants? Many other teams are televising many more games than SF, some, nearly all. What’s the deal? Who is falling down, the team or Comcast? Inquiring minds want to know!

Michael Scott

I cry easily. The great thing about his Pop being there was that that game was truly a crossroad in Jonathan’s career, he was facing a move to the pen at best, a release at worst. His Dad obviously didn’t anticipate a no-hitter, he could only have been there to support his son at a troubled time.

Having your alcoholic father be physically abusive to your mom and your brothers is always a winning formula for a chip on your shoulder. Add to the fact that it’s done in the public eye with newspaper reporters reporting each transgression and having your Dad move from town to town despite his HOF potential does wonders for building a trusting relationship with the 4th Estate.

He started a two-run rally yesterday with a hit and scored a run. Also was murdering the ball in BP.

DrLefty

That said, Blanco looked great in CF behind Cain. That guy really is an asset defensively.

DrLefty

The starters are ready to go. The bullpen, not so much.

DrLefty

I saw Belt in the Saturday and Monday games. Saturday he looked pretty bad (2 swinging Ks). Yesterday he looked fine. He didn’t get a hit, but he had good ABs and had two well-hit liners to the OF.

I saw Minicozzi in all three games and wasn’t impressed. He didn’t do much at the plate in any of them and looked fairly limited at 1B, too. I don’t think Belt has anything to worry about.

Matthew

You are floating in the most peculiar way…

Anti-Lasorda

I think Pete should be in. Of course I vote for Barry too….
It’s a museum, not a temple, IMHO.

channelclemente

The only reason I’d keep them out, is that sports journalist would talk about nothing else for a couple of years. Really, what did Bonds have to say yesterday, beyond the drama mama crowd’s needs, have to do with baseball?

Bapah

I have to wonder how things will work out for Nat Geo, since they’re owned by Fox now.

winebaroness

Don’t forget Arias

Anti-Lasorda

At least after two years the talk would die, right now, every year until they are in, the arguement will get dusted off and the same stories re-run. Hit King and Home-Run King out of HOF…..
Put them in, let them jabber about it for 3 months, and then the news cycle will move on…

ClutchUp

Are you really that much of a Cub fan that it makes you come here on March 11th and ask DUMB questions about the Morse acquisition – when NOTHING about your Morse question had any merit …

Foothills Ryan

Adrianza gets the start at short today. Hicks at second. Should be an interesting day given Abreu’s stumbles yesterday. If it’s a steeple-chase, Abreu kicked the hurdle and got wet. If it’s boxing he took one on the chin and leaned on the ropes until the bell.

channelclemente

Not being a Bonds fan, I could care less where he lands. Nice teeth though.

DrLefty

It’s funny you said that. I was giving him a pass because of the new baby, but then he posted this snotty remark on Twitter, actually in response to something Alex said. Crawford made a comment about Rich Aurilia coming to camp yesterday with the hashtag #BarryWho. I know he admires Aurilia (both SS, both wore #35), and that’s all good, but a lefty hitter who’s 2-20 in spring training after a very bad end to the previous season should not be snarky about getting some tips from maybe the best lefty hitter to ever play the game.

I know he was trying to be funny, but it rubbed me the wrong way. Also, after his really bad game, he immediately posted another pic of the two babies. It’s clear where his head is. It’s understandable, of course, but the timing is unfortunate for the team.

My comment to Mr. L when I read the “BarryWho” remark: “Crawdaddy better remember he hasn’t made the big bucks yet. He could be the next Joaquin Arias” (i.e., a utility player). It could happen if he doesn’t have a good year.

ClutchUp

I forgot how bitter Cub fans are…..how about Fred Merkle or Bill Buckner. Actually the best all around firstbaseman the UBs had was after Ernie Banks left SS and moved over there …

Foothills Ryan

There’s life outside TV, but there’s also bullriding on TV.

DrLefty

Yeah, it wasn’t good. Preoccupied/spaced are good descriptive words. He looked bad at the plate, too. His bat looked slow.

Anti-Lasorda

Remember Abreu was a frickin’ Bumbo before he was a G’int. Cut him already…

I personally think the mistake should be in assuming Arias and his .279 OBP is some sort of sacred cow and a lock. From what I’ve seen Hicks is better with the stick and Adrianza better with the glove.
~YMMV

DrLefty

I don’t think it matters. He’ll just nod agreeably and then say how “excited” he was to meet Bonds, and then he’ll do what he does. Let Pablo be Pablo.

DrLefty

You are WAY over my golfing vocabulary now. Mr. L said “7-iron,” or I wouldn’t have even known that much.

ClutchUp

Its March 11th. Other teams have pitchers who have been hurt and they are out for the year. The G’s have aches and pains and Scoots back. The Dodgers already miss Mark Ellis, Skip Schumacher and Punto.

We’ll be okay. Remember??? The other team is punching (back) also.

ClutchUp

BABY ON BOARD

ClutchUp

Locked.

Anti-Lasorda

Somehow I don’t think the ratings suggest a large influence over America’s youth; unlike the boys on the diamond.

Foothills Ryan

Wow! My Rob Stark remarks are looking salient. It must be the Uptown Cookie in him. Get your head in the game Craw! Adrianza in going to swoop. He may be hungrier.

ClutchUp

Bonds went to court. That’s all folks. (but if it happened – 9 more yrs)

ClutchUp

Tremendous Post!

DrLefty

All true, but I’m still worried about the bullpen. I’ve been worried about it all winter and I’m not any less worried about it now. I’m aware there’s still three weeks to sort this out, but I wish (a) that they’d spent a few more bucks and signed another quality BP arm and/or (b) that they would give Law and Hembree legitimate shots to be in the pen this season.

Foothills Ryan

A-L has been en fuego !

Anti-Lasorda

Right now, I could easily see a platoon developing by mid May.

Matthew

What was the snarky comment?

I was thrilled , tired and impatíent with others after my children were born.

Anti-Lasorda

I think that’s more for the instructors sake than for Pablo’s……

DrLefty

Alex posted a tweet with a picture of rows of empty chairs for the media yesterday, saying something like “The Giants must be expecting a big media crowd for Crawford’s return after having his second child.”

OK, I just went to Twitter to post the link to Crawford’s reply and…he took it down. That’s good. Better late than never. But is was something like “Maybe they’re excited that Rich Aurilia is in camp. #BarryWho.”

DrLefty

Now. But maybe not forever.

Did I mention Matt Duffy looked really, really good in the Futures game, both at bat (blasted a double to dead center off Chris Heston) and at SS? And that Christian Arroyo got a hit off Santiago Casilla? There are more footsteps than just Adrianza’s.

channelclemente

A team that let Maddux slip away for nothing, should avoid the term ‘stud’.

I like B …..
I am going to say right now, Romo won’t finish this season as a closer, and won’t be brought back next season even if his elbow hasn’t exploded from him trying to keep his job.
I think Hembree and Law need to start in SF, you need to get them ready…

ClutchUp

Barry Bonds has brothers Ricky and Bobby Jr. Bobby Jr. was bigger, faster and stronger but shared NONE of Barry’s drive and application. Mother Pat use to own a Wedding Dress store in downtown San Carlos. Ricky played club ball during the summer but it was Bobby Jr. that went to Canada Community college in Redwood City California and one day with scouts sitting nearby – NUBBED a ball in front of the plate and beat the throw to first base. Scouts leaned over asking each other if they had the same stop watch time? They answered yes: 3.86 out of the right hand batters box (Bo Jackson time). Bobby Junior played some professional ball but mostly independent ball. There a couple of pictures of Bobby Junior below.

I agree. Their bullpen is very long in the tooth. Kontos and Dunning are still in their 20s, but I’m not sold on either of them.

Anti-Lasorda

“Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.”

~Lawrence Peter Berra

ClutchUp

Hockey guys did. College baseball players depending what their dads, uncles, brothers (and sometimes their grandparents) did – refuse to give up the dirty little secret ESPECIALLY outside of California. Our summer teams travelled to Montana, Wyoming and Omaha and 15-17 year old boys had a hunk under their lip(s).

ClutchUp

Ricky

ClutchUp

Forever? That’s true about all of us. The Giants treat their home grown – RUSHED – through the minors players – much better than to engage in what-ifs….or to look over their shoulder. Don’t you think?

Hey, a question’s a question. Killion asks good questions, in my experience. I turned it off before the interview.

ClutchUp

I think you are correct about Hembree. I have huge issues about Law pitching with a runner at first. I need to clock Law from the time he breaks his hands til the time 28 receives the ball. Otherwise runners will steal him blind. It is NICE that he hides the ball ala Luis Tiant but if he doesn’t VARY his patterns then I’m afraid that Foothills, Michael and Anti-Lasorda are going to steal second base standing up.

Anybody can pitch with no runners on but Nen, Wilson, Lincecum and MANY other G’s P’s have a built in flaw that Gardy and Rags have never really solved.

BTW did anybody see Robb Nen at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am last month? Dude is in MAJOR shape.

channelclemente

He sees his future if he doesn’t come around.

ClutchUp

Popcorn?

ClutchUp

I like the confederate soldiers durability

channelclemente

Who cares? Soap opera lives aren’t all that unusual.

ClutchUp

The first batter for our new pitcher “broke up the PG” with Huff on the bump. Did you think Bochy was gonna leave Cain in?

You actually yelled that? OMG…. Composure….act like one’s been there before….no?

ClutchUp

I didn’t mean to infer that she doesn’t but Gomez and Killion hit the nail on the head so often with the SAME type questions that it was queer.

ClutchUp

I’ve played miniature golf only….does anybody remember when miniature golf was cool for a 15 yr old on a date?

ClutchUp

I don’t disagree …

ClutchUp

Not especially 25 but especially Will Clark and JT Snow …

ClutchUp

WoW, amazingly pointed …

ClutchUp

I HATE TWITTER
I despise athletes who use social media
the end

ClutchUp

Popcorn?

channelclemente

Good glove or not, .212 doesn’t a career make. He knows it, so should we. He has to hit league average or above, IMO. It’s sad, no one likes to lose a GG 2B. ;~)

ClutchUp

Craw should carry a miniaturized sign in his back pocket to “Do the right thing, Mr. Bill White” – Only do the right thing Mr. Crawford: Keep quiet until you’ve gotten your rest.

But why the year after year after year RANT on a kid who’s probably doing his best? Let it play out no?

HaHa GG 2bman 🙂

channelclemente

I’m not ranting, if anything I’m pointing out the obvious. I like Crawford, it’s just he’s not going to survive this year if he can’t hit in MLB. In September he hit .148 last year. .240 – .260 is not asking a lot.

Anti-Lasorda

I’ve never been that high on Hackeen Arias.

Anti-Lasorda

Nah, I don’t think it’s likely…. but it will depend on how Hackeen does in his early starts versus lefties….

DrLefty

Thanks. English is a “mutt” of a language. That’s a big part of why it’s so complicated to learn. The grammar and vocabulary came in bits and pieces from disparate sources at different points in time, leading to obsolete leftovers and redundant duplications (e.g., synonyms, one of Germanic origin, one of Latin/French origin).

DrLefty

Good point. Part of the deal with Law is he hardly ever has any runners on because he just doesn’t walk people (an excellent quality in a reliever).

Anti-Lasorda

It’s not the Soap Opera, it’s the double standard.. Media shapes our perception and that is often based on how frequently they give a quote and how big they smile versus the content or the context of it.
It’s the whole Wag the Dog principle, and sportwriters aren’t above it.

DrLefty

No, I did not think Bochy was going to leave Cain in!

That seventh inning was really, really bad. I felt sorry for Affeldt. He’s trying to make a comeback from surgery and a bad year and HE did everything right–he got the ground balls just like he’s supposed to. Then, after Crawford/Abreu misplayed grounders on three straight hitters, Affeldt just struck out the last two guys. Still got a VERY undeserved loss. I know it’s ST and he doesn’t care, but it still bugged me, especially after Cain’s gem (the Craw/Abreu miscues also cost Cain a W).

DrLefty

I still think it’s cool. 🙂

channelclemente

If you, or Bonds for that matter, don’t care for the dubious attributes of narrative journalism, then don’t play to the narrative. If you inhabit the stereotype they create for you, don’t be surprised when you look in the mirror, and are the stereotype. Nice teeth though.

Anti-Lasorda

That’s Usefully in the Role we assumed was Petit’s…

channelclemente

Maybe he’ll write a tell all book.

Samhatesbelt

Arias is a lock. They signed him to a 2 yr deal in the offseason. If they wanted they could have gone to arbitration. 1.1 vs 1.5 mil.

Samhatesbelt

If anyone would know queer, it would be you.

Anti-Lasorda

Locks: Romo, Affeldt, Lopez, Casillia
In the Air : Hembree, Machi, Kontos, Law, Runzler, De Paula
Long: Petit, Loe, Huff, Dunning
Predictions:
Hembree, Machi, Dunning start in SF.
Fresno bullpen: Huff, Loe, Law (closer), Kontos, Runzler and DePaula in Fresno. We will see 4 of the four during the season.
Petit goes back to starting alongside Escobar, Kickham
~YMMV.

DrLefty

I agree. Crawford was rushed, and so was Belt. The Giants know that. But Crawford’s had pretty much a free pass at SS; this is his third year now with no competition as the main guy. It’s an important year for him. He’s arb-eligible after this season, and that’s when teams start to do some serious cost-benefit analysis of their players. As they should.

When Craw took over as the starting SS in 2012, everyone was so thrilled and relieved to have a young slick fielder after (shudder) 2011. He showed what he could do, especially in the 2012 postseason. But 2013 didn’t really move him further along, and you could argue he regressed a bit, especially with the glove. Maybe it was the sprained fingers, maybe the distractions of new fatherhood–or maybe this is as good as it gets.

I love everything about Crawford–his history as a lifelong Giants fan, his articulate and honest blog, his adorable young family, his terrific skills with the glove. I WANT him to be the SS for the next decade. But facts are facts. He needs to be a plus-defender and at least a league-average hitter (that’s around .250 for SS). And the Giants are fairly stacked with SS prospects in the system.

I repeat: A big year for him.

YogiBarrister

Bonds yes, Rose no.
With the steroid users you grade them on a steep curve. Clemens and Bonds obviously are Hall of Famers.
Rose’s transgressions are different. By his own admission, he bet against his own team, and undermined their chances of winning those games. Yeah I know, he only bet them to win, so on the days he didn’t wager, he was betting against them, maybe saving the bullpen for the money games.

Samhatesbelt

The obvious answer is they make more money showing informercials than ST games.

Foothills Ryan

Fail 7/10 and you’re in the HOF.

channelclemente

Both men’s lives turn out to be a Greek tragedy, IMO. As to the HOF, to me, it’s irrelevant, I simply don’t care any more. It’s really not part of ‘The Game’ as far as I’m concerned.

ClutchUp

Amen

ClutchUp

Both Yes

Foothills Ryan

And you’ve got to swing the bat the get a hit.

Foothills Ryan

If Bonds can get Pence to take more walks, he’ll be a smashing success.

If Bonds can get Belt to rub some echinacea oil on his skin, maybe Belt will get over the flu quicker and back to hitting baseballs in the gaps.